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Detroit Lions: Rapid reactions to preseason finale loss to Buffalo Bills

By Zac Snyder

ORCHARD PARK, NY - AUGUST 31: Jace Billingsley #16 of the Detroit Lions is brought down for a one yard loss by Eddie Yarbrough #75 of the Buffalo Bills during the second quarter of a preseason game on August 31, 2017 at New Era Field in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
ORCHARD PARK, NY - AUGUST 31: Jace Billingsley #16 of the Detroit Lions is brought down for a one yard loss by Eddie Yarbrough #75 of the Buffalo Bills during the second quarter of a preseason game on August 31, 2017 at New Era Field in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /
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Some quick thoughts, observations and reactions to what took place in the Detroit Lions’ loss to the Buffalo Bills in the 2017 preseason finale.

The 2017 preseason is in the books with the Detroit Lions suffering a 27-17 defeat at the hands of the Buffalo Bills. It was the last chance for players on the roster bubble to state their case for a spot on the team’s 53-man roster for the regular season. Here are some rapid reactions to what we saw tonight.

  • If it was a neck-and-neck battle between Jared Abbrederis and Jace Billingsley for the fifth wide receiver spot coming into the game, I’m not sure anything changed in tonight’s game. Both players contributed in the offense and return game but both had shaky moments – Abbrederis with a fumble and Billingsley with unsure hands on a late punt return.
  • With no one showing out strongly in the return game this preseason, there may not really be a “battle” for the return job. There is enough depth on the roster and enough players who could handle return duties that roster spots for this team should be earned based on what a player can do in his primary role on offense or defense.
  • Tion Green was an undrafted free agent I had high hopes for coming into training camp but he didn’t do much through three preseason games. It was a very good finale for Green, but not likely enough to force the Lions to carry five running backs into the regular season. Hopefully he sticks with the team on the practice squad, however.
  • I was a little surprised Brad Kaaya played only the second half of tonight’s game as it seemed that Jake Rudock had little to prove and the Lions might have wanted a longer look a Kaaya. Surprise aside, it doesn’t really matter. Rudock is the clear number two and it would behoove the Lions to carry just two quarterbacks on the 53-man roster to free up a spot for added depth at a position and player that could have an impact on the team this season.
  • Expectations aren’t high for this Buffalo Bills team so it was disappointing to see the Lions so uneven in their performance and largely outplayed, especially in the first half. One of the bright spots of the first two preseason games was that the Lions displayed superior talent throughout the game as the Lions, Colts and Jets rotated through their roster. That wasn’t the case tonight.
  • Kerry Hyder was a big star in last year’s fourth preseason game but the Lions didn’t get that kind of performance out of anyone on the roster bubble tonight.

Next: For some, roster bubble is about to pop

With the conclusion of preseason play, eyes turn to the roster. The Lions and the rest of the NFL have to be down to a “final” 53-man roster by 4 p.m. ET on Saturday.

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